Post-Op Advice Please!

[_EndoWarrior_]

I am scheduled to have a total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo oopherectomy on August 12th.

I am a bit unclear as to what you can and can’t do after the operation if it has been performed laparoscopically.

I know you can lift things like kettles a d have been told to get a small travel kettle instead but my question is:

Can you lift your arms up? As I am wanting to buy some comfy nightwear for overnight stay (or more) and at home recovering.I was wondering if buttoned nightshirts were best or can I wear any nightdress which I would need to lift my arms into and over my head to get into? Maybe a silly question but would like some confirmation please! 🙂

[livvi_livvi]

Hey,

I had a TLHBSO (total laprascopic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo oophorectomy in Feb this year. My recovery isnt the normal because of how ill I was prior to the operation.

You will manage fine to lift your arms up to get dressed. Although you may be very tired.

As for lifting anything else you need to follow the same guidelines as those for people who have had abdominal inscisons as the reason you shouldnt life anything heavier in the first week than a mug of water in a kettle is because of the internal stitches and also the closure at the top of your vagina where they remove your cervix from.

You might find it helpful to have a look here rcog.org.uk/en/patients/pat...

As this has some great information.

Good luck with your op. Xx

[_EndoWarrior_ in reply to livvi_livvi]

Thank you for your advice. It’s always reassuring to hear it from those that have been through it.

How did you find the bowel prep? If you were given it.

Will check out the link. Thank you! 🙂

[livvi_livvi in reply to _EndoWarrior_]

I had the picolax bowel prep where you take 2 sachets. I found it took my bowel hours to process it and didnt start working until 6 hours after the last one. Tbh it wasnt that bad. Make sure you stay super hydrated before and during the day of bowel prep. So dont worry if it takes a while. I ended up ringing the ward and they just said it will happen at some point so dont worry. For me it wasnt that painful even though I had been quite constipated before.

Yeahh if you have any other questions I would be happy to answer if I can.

My biggest piece of advice for your recovery would be dont rush it. You get one chance to recover and if you dont use it wisely you can cause big problems further down. Trust your body you know it better than anyone else. And when you are post op if something isnt right seek help straight away. Remember that you are having major surgery and organs removed. Just because you will only have a few small incisions on the outside that really doesnt reflect the inside. 😁

Good luck though. Xxx

[_EndoWarrior_ in reply to livvi_livvi]

Thank so much for that advice. If I think of any others I shall definitely ask.

Unfortunately, I am also on Heparin injections 2 days before operation too so not sure how well I shall be. I shall find out soon enough. 😬

[livvi_livvi in reply to _EndoWarrior_]

Ohh man those injections really hurt I had to have them for 2 weeks post op. They didnt make me feel ill just hurt to inject them. Xxx

[_EndoWarrior_ in reply to livvi_livvi]

It’s just the bowel prep, blood thinner injections ( make me very, very tired and I feel anxious every time I have to inject myself as they do hurt like you say. Could be twice daily injections too 😕)and the fact I’ll be on my period (which is extremely painful) all at the same time before my operation.

[livvi_livvi in reply to _EndoWarrior_]

Oh no what an awful combination all at once. However, it should be worth it in the end after your op. Xxx

[Zebrasmom]

Hi,

I had a laparoscopic hysterectomy a month ago. Lifting my arms or getting dress wasn’t a problem for me. My recovery is going well. I would follow the guidelines your doctor gives u. I was told to stay active. There are restriction to lifting tho. I was back in the gym after 2 weeks. Hope everything goes well.

[_EndoWarrior_ in reply to Zebrasmom]

Thanks. Hoping recovery will be straight forward and uncomplicated. Reassuring to hear you are recovering well too. 🙂